Reflecting Jesyca by Reese Gabriel
Jesyca has had it up to here with Mark Bristol. It takes a lot of nerve to just show up on her doorstep expecting to pick up where they left off in their intimate relationship five months ago. But this time, Jesyca is saying no. She can't take his leaving anymore. As a rodeo man, Mark spends a lot of time on the road and Jes just can't take that kind of life anymore. After the death of her brother Charlie two years ago, Jes has shut herself off from any and all emotional connections, though she doesn't realize it. Mark does however and he's come back to town a changed man. He's bought the local honky tonk and has plans to woo and wed Jes. Unfortunately, she's not making it easy. Should Mark hold out hope for Jesyca, or is this rodeo star doomed to failure? Not if a magical mirror has its way… a magical mirror that is destined to show love's true face reflected forever.

Reese Gabriel once again charms and touches the heart with this latest story. It is much less BDSM and dominant alpha male oriented than many of Reese Gabriel's previous stories, but that makes it no less satisfying. Mark and Jesyca share an out of this world attraction, but their problem is finding a way to make that attraction workable in a day to day life. Mark's eagerness to make Jes happy, his palpable love and desire, combined with his very manly demeanor, go far in winning Jes's heart. But it is something totally unexpected and totally thrilling that proves to Jes that when he says he loves her and wants a future with her, he really and truly means it. The magic of the holiday season is definitely at work in Reflecting Jesyca.

Reflecting the Future by Cricket Starr
In the futuristic setting of Mars, John Forge wants to make a commitment to Suzie Shelty, the mining company's morale officer. Suzie is in charge of boosting the morale of the men at the station, and that most often means sleeping with them. It's supposed to be just a job, but when she's with John, all Suzie wants is to be with him forever, a big no-no for morale officers. So, she's put in for a transfer and is determined to get John out of her heart no matter what she does. She wants to leave the mining company with positive memories of herself though, so she's organized an old-fashioned earth style Christmas, complete with presents, Christmas tree, and the big guy himself, Santa Claus. John is determined to do whatever it takes to prove to Suzie that he loves her, that love is a real and potent emotion guaranteed to change one's life. If only she would listen though… Will the old fashioned Christmas in Mars be the miracle needed to convince Suzie that John loves her forever?

Reflecting the Future is a bright and shiny gem of a story. Suzie's position as a morale officer wreaked a bit too much of prostitution when I first read the description of the story, but let me assure you, this is nowhere near the truth. Suzie and John have a very committed and loving relationship, something the other men of the colony respect and admire. Suzie is a loving and warmhearted person, determined to keep the morale of the men, women and children positive. She's responsible, cheerful and very much in love with John. Her longing for him was very well written, just as was her determination to not believe in love. She faced some very conflicting emotions in this story, all of which helped to bring the story to its climactic moment, the old fashioned Christmas she arranged. John is an equally well written character who wants not only an old fashioned Christmas, but an old fashioned bond with Suzie: marriage, kids, and a home together. I really enjoyed reading about their relationship, and the hard work both put into their home on Mars, to make it a successful and happy place to live for everyone. This is another wonderful and romantic story to warm your heart and soul during this holiday season.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Sarah W
April 4, 2006